AP— The Lynx added Minnesota great Lindsay Whalen and former Washington Mystics coach Eric Thibault to their coaching staff on Saturday.
“I am excited to add both Eric and Lindsay to our coaching staff,” said Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. “Eric has extensive experience coaching in the WNBA as a head and assistant coach and is a WNBA champion. Lindsay adds a unique perspective as a Lynx legend and Naismith Hall of Famer. I look forward to working with both of them in our quest for another WNBA championship.”
Thibault, who was fired by the Mystics last month, will serve in the role of associate head coach.
“I am thrilled to join Cheryl’s staff and become part of the Minnesota Lynx organization,” said Thibault. “The players and staff have built an incredible winning culture and I am excited to do my part in pursuing a WNBA championship.”
Thibault spent the past two seasons as head coach of the Mystics after spending the previous 10 seasons as an assistant with the franchise.
Whalen helped lead the Lynx to four WNBA championships between 2011 and 2017 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
“I’m so excited to be back with the Lynx and back with Coach and Becky (Rebekkah Brunson),” Whalen said. “Eric and I have also known each other for a long time, and I couldn’t imagine joining a better staff as I return to coaching and get my first opportunity to coach in the WNBA.”
After her playing career was over, Whalen took over as head coach at her alma mater, the University of Minnesota.
Before playing for the Lynx, Whalen played for Thibault’s father, Mike, at the Connecticut Sun. She then hired Eric Thibault’s sister, Carly, as associate head coach at Minnesota.
The Lynx reached the WNBA Finals for the first time since Whalen last season, falling in a decisive Game 5 to the New York Liberty.
Earlier this season, former Lynx head coach Katie Smith left to coach at her alma mater, Ohio State.
